‘Oh,’ she said, waving a hand dismissively. ‘I’m sure you’re guessing, which of course is lovely. It’s nice that you should think that. But—’ She jumped up, remembering the coffee. ‘I’d better get…’ She trailed off and walked quickly into the kitchen, and set the coffee aside to rest for a few minutes.
‘I’d feel much more comfortable talking about you,’ she said, sitting down again. ‘This getting to know each other is a two-way thing remember.’
‘Sure.’ He put one arm over the back of the sofa. ‘What would you like to know?’
‘Why you came home,’ she said. The question covered everything she wanted to know.
‘Because it turned out the job I thought I loved didn’t love me, and nor did the woman. It got me thinking.’
‘What?’
‘That the things I’d got sucked into, the things I thought were important, weren’t important. It got me thinking that I’d been fooled by appearances. Not anyone’s fault really, other than my own.’ He paused. ‘Actually, it was my ex’s fault.’ He shot Augi a disarming grin. ‘But I won’t dwell on that. All I can do is realise I messed up and make sure I don’t make the same mistakes again.’
‘So you left.’
‘I left,’ he confirmed. ‘Everything. My job and the woman who, apparently now wants to get back with me.’
Augi felt an unexpected pang of jealousy. She shifted in her chair and cleared her throat. ‘And, will you?’
He looked directly at her. ‘No. She’s not the woman for me. And, even if she doesn’t know it, I’m not the man for her.’
She studied her fingers. Somehow they’d become incredibly fascinating. ‘You sound sure.’
‘I am.’
She looked up at him then. ‘Daniel. I’d really like to know. Why are you interested in getting to know me? I’m at least ten years older than you and, as I told you, I have secrets which is something I know distresses you, and I’m independent, a loner, someone not used to male interest.’
‘I find that hard to believe,’ he said.
‘Stop, right there,’ she said extending her hand to him. ‘Please do not flirt with me. Please do not flatter me. I know who I am. What I don’t know is why you wish to know me better.’
‘Augustini,’ he shook his head. ‘I’m sorry if what I say sounds like flattery. Maybe I’ve just been mixing with the wrong crowd for too long so that I come across as glib. But there’s one thing you do need to know about me and that is that I say what I mean. Okay, sometimes I clothe it in words which come maybe a little too easy, but the meaning remains true. Because I really do find it hard to believe that you’re not used to male interest.’ He waved his hand in a flourish at her. ‘I mean, look at you. You’re beautiful, intelligent, kind.’ He smiled. ‘You see, the date is working and my original opinions are being backed up by evidence.’ He sighed and sat back. ‘I like you. I more than like you.’
She nodded but twisted her lips into a grimace. She still felt there was something amiss. ‘But you’ve only just left another woman. Have you considered that you’re on the rebound, searching for someone different?’
‘I’ve thought about that. Believe me, I’ve accused myself of all sorts of things. And if I haven’t, Mum has. She was worried I’d hurt you and concerned I was attracted to you because of what happened in Washington.’ He shrugged. ‘But I truly don’t believe that. I wanted nothing more than to avoid the opposite sex forever. A seminary was looking attractive to me in the months immediately after I left the US.’
She laughed, the tension broken. ‘I cannot imagine you in a seminary.’
He joined her laughter. ‘Me neither. I like talking too much for one thing. And company for another. And I’m not so good at the religion bit either. And, well, I like women, too.’
She rose and poured them each a coffee into small cups. He made an appreciative sound as he took a sip.
‘I’ve never been to Greece.’
‘You should go. It’s a beautiful country. Full of history, not just ancient and classical but modern too. Art, music, theatre. It has a lot.’
‘Don’t you miss it?’
‘Yes, of course.’ She blinked as memories kaleidoscoped through her head. Of people, places, smells and sights. She blinked again and they were gone. And all she was left with was a bunch of faded photographs on her bookcase. As the memories surged up, unasked for and unwanted, she suddenly wondered what on earth she was doing. ‘Look I’m sorry. I have work tomorrow, so…’
Dan looked alarmed and she momentarily felt sorry for upsetting the evening. But he was getting too close. She’d enjoyed the evening and the conversation and company, but that didn’t mean that she was about to open up to him about her past. Not yet, if ever.
‘Of course,’ he said, quickly finishing off his coffee before jumping up. He took his coffee cup into the kitchen, and placed it in the sink. She rose and went to the door. He paused beside her. ‘I hope I haven’t spoiled the evening by saying something stupid.’
‘You haven’t spoiled the evening,’ she assured him. She smiled then. ‘It was too lovely to spoil.’
‘Good. Because I really enjoyed it. Goodnight then.’
